Baylor Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media Hosts Sportswriter Panel Discussion

Aspiring sports reporters and fans will have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of some of the nation's leading sportswriters and commentators during a panel discussion from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 21, in the Baines Room at the Bill Daniel Student Center on the Baylor University campus. The event is hosted by the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media in Baylor's College of Arts and Sciences.

The panelists include:

 David Pickle, NCAA director of digital communications, who will serve as moderator
 Dave Campbell, longtime sports editor and writer for the Waco Tribune-Herald and founder of Texas Football magazine
 David McCollum, sports columnist at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway, Ark.
 Eddie Sefko, NBA writer for The Dallas Morning News

The topics will include how sports writers deal with the prevalence of rumors on the Internet in an effort to bring readers a factual and responsible sports report.

The discussion is part of a larger celebration called "Baylor University: A Legacy of Excellence in Journalism Education," recognizing more than 110 years of educating students for careers in journalism with a special emphasis on the classes of 1958 to 1976, fondly known as the Cheavens-McHam era.

Other activities include a reception, dinner and discussions with distinguished alumni on politics and law.

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, classified with "high research activity" by Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Baylor provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students, blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating Texas university. Located in Waco, it welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions.

About the Department of Journalism, Public Relations and New Media

The beginning of Baylor journalism can be traced back to the creation of the Baylor Lariat newspaper in 1900. Then in 1913, Baylor became the first university in Texas to offer a journalism course. The Department of Journalism was established in 1927 and the first chair was Dr. Charles D. Johnson. In September of 2011, the department was renamed Journalism, Public Relations and New Media to more accurately reflect what we do in a constantly changing media environment. We stay current on modern media platforms while remaining true to the fundamentals of strong, ethical journalism and public relations.

About The College of Arts & Sciences

The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University's oldest and largest academic division, consisting of 27 academic departments and 13 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct important research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit www.baylor.edu/artsandsciences.